Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 2, 2022

Our goal is to NOT put our Christmas purchases on a credit card. January will be one giant nightmare when the credit card bills start rolling in. We paid for many of our Christmas purchases on a credit card and then hustled in January 2013 to pay it off. Hopefully, that’s your goal too.

Christmas 130

Christmas Finds Friends And Family Sale Donation 130

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 25, 2019

On January 25, you might not want to even think about Christmas. Did you use cash or put your purchases on a credit card? But if those gifts were paid with a credit card that doesn’t get paid off as soon as the bill arrives, any savings from store sales, coupons, and/or rebates might be negated from the interest accrued.

2019 100

2019 Club Christmas 2018 100

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 25, 2013

This idea came to me last January when I received our credit card statement in the mail that had all of our Christmas purchases on it. It was due on January 19 and I had had enough–no more ridiculous credit card bills. Our very first meeting for the club was on January 25th.

Club 100

Club November Christmas Credit Cards 100

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

10.16% The average $30,000 HELOC rate as of the beginning of January 2024 — up from 7.62% in January 2023. As of late January 2024, home equity loan rates for the benchmark $30,000 loan are averaging just under 9 percent, within a tight range of 8.5 What are average home equity loan interest rates? to 10 percent.

Home 52

Home Debt Credit Cards Credit 52

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 18, 2022

Americans will spend about $900 on holiday purchases** and unfortunately, many people will get a little surprise in the mail in January when the credit card bills start rolling in. That merry time of year that is filled with faith, family, food, and a little bit of shopping.

Christmas 130

Christmas Budgeting Budget Money 130

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 28, 2016

If you’re thinking about some resolutions for 2017 that have to do with YOUR finances, then I’m inviting you to join me in January for the New Year New You Financial Summit. This summit runs January 9-13, 2017 and consists of 15 workshops over those 5 days. Friday, January 13: 12 noon EST: Investing for (Early) Retirement.

New Year's 100

New Year's Debt Personal Finance Real Estate 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 29, 2020

One January, we received a very large credit card bill in the mail. I knew it was coming because we hadn’t planned for all of the gifts we bought in December and used a credit card to pay for them.

Budgeting 130

Budgeting Budget Family Property Taxes 130

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 15, 2021

In January of 2020, I was gung-ho about saving for college, however, I had no idea what was about to happen. Side Note #1: I do not advocate the use of credit cards unless you are able to pay off the balance every month so as not to incur fees and charges. You can apply for the card through your Upromise account.

College 130

College Used 2020 Saving 130

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 9, 2018

One January, we received a very large credit card bill in the mail. I knew it was coming, because we hadn’t planned for all of the gifts we bought in December and used a credit card to pay for them.

Budgeting 160

Budgeting Budget Family Property Taxes 160

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 25, 2011

Did you pay cash or use a credit card to buy gifts? If you used a credit card, when did you pay it off? We usually use a credit card to buy our Christmas gifts and then pay the balance off in January. This past January, I looked at what we spent on Christmas gifts in 2010 and reduced it by 20%.

Christmas 157

Christmas Credit Cards January Budgeting 157

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 2, 2013

Unless it's paid with cash, that is one hefty credit card bill come January. According to the Washington Post and a CreditDonkey survey , "a shopper who charges about $700 on a credit card with a 13 percent interest. A credit Christmas equals: a "how are we going to pay for this" Christmas.

2013 113

2013 Christmas Club January 113

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Lenders typically like to see that you can cover your monthly bills, including any other loan or credit card payments, and have money left over after your new personal loan payment. On-time loan payments build credit. Rates may be lower than credit cards and other high-interest loans. Fixed, predictable payments.

Credit 52

Credit January Debt Credit Cards 52

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Our goal is to NOT put our Christmas purchases on a credit card. January will be one giant nightmare when the credit card bills start rolling in. We paid for many of our Christmas purchases on a credit card and then hustled in January 2013 to pay it off. Hopefully, that’s your goal too.

Christmas 235

Christmas Finds Part Time Thrift Stores 235

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 3, 2013

Too many people rely on credit cards to carry them through the holiday spending and January ends up being a very stressful month when those credit card bills start rolling in. January's Christmas Savings Club Goal: Create your budget, divide by 11 and save your first month's goal. Thanks for reading.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget 2013 Christmas 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 10, 2014

On the 30th of each month, between January and November in 2014 , we will meet here to discuss our challenges and successes for the month. Before our first meeting on January 30, 2014 , there’s a little prep work that you’ll need to do: Action Step 1 : Figure out your monthly grocery budget. Start meal planning ASAP.

Budgeting 174

Budgeting Budget Groceries Grocery 174

Saving With Shellie

JANUARY 6, 2017

Through January 7th, Staples.com is offering this Omnitech 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder for just $19.99 (regularly $79.99!) Plus it also shreds credit cards too! plus free shipping if you’re a Staples Rewards Members (it’s FREE to sigh up!).

Shredders 56

Shredders Credit Cards January Paper 56

Saving Everyday

JANUARY 3, 2014

x 6 Photo Brag Books for FREE through Saturday, January 4th (a $6.99 I did have to enter my credit card number, but the total was $0 and I will not be charged. I just got my order confirmation via email and my brag book will arrive by January 11! Get the 4.5 The book will be shipped directly to your home for free.

Photos 58

Photos Home Free Shipping January 58

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 14, 2012

Since there seems to be so much in the news lately about credit cards- the good ones, the bad ones, the ugly ones, the fee free ones, the reward ones, the secured ones, etc. I figured I would talk about credit cards as today’s theme. Funancials : Should I Cancel My Credit Card? Futures introduction.

Credit Cards 220

Credit Cards Credit Finance Personal Finance 220

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 11, 2011

Since we use credit cards for almost all of our purchases, we are paying the bills now for our Christmas presents. As an experiment, I switched to cash in 3 categories : groceries, dining out and clothing on January 1st.

Christmas 138

Christmas 2011 Bills Credit Cards 138

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 9, 2021

We didn’t carry over credit card balances, we paid off our car notes early, and the interest rate on the student loan was at a low 2.75%. We agreed that credit card debt wasn’t very smart, but a car loan? In January of 2020, we made summer plans (and bought airline tickets) to go see friends who moved to Europe.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2019 Debt Free 130

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2011

Did you make some financial goals for 2011 back in January? If you didn't make any goals in January, take some time to plan for the balance of the year. The post reviews what is recommended for bank statements, bills, credit card statements, household records, legal documents, pay stubs, receipts and taxes.

Finance 127

Finance Financial Goals Goals Credit 127

The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

In January, the four of us put together a long list of games we wanted to play, many of which were just gathering dust in the basement, and it has become a joint New Year’s resolution to get through all of them before the year is over! My family loves watching movies and tv series together, and having regular game nights. A freebie cabinet.

Kids and Family 185

Kids and Family Home and Garden Money Frugal 185

Saving With Shellie

NOVEMBER 29, 2013

That means (if you sign up today) you have until January 12 to make your purchases and you will get the money on January 17. Just in time to pay your credit card bill from Christmas When I took advantage of this offer a while back I just put $10 in the account.

Emergency Fund 68

Emergency Fund January Credit Cards Sonic 68

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 8, 2015

The average American will spend about $700 on holiday purchases* and unfortunately many people will get a little surprise in the mail in January when the credit card bills start rolling in. That merry time of year that is filled with faith, family, food, and a little bit shopping.

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Debt Christmas Budgeting 100

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

On the 25th of every month from January to November in 2019, I will hold a virtual meeting on the blog to give updates on our progress, motivate one another, and help all of us save for a cash Christmas. The goal is to use the money that you have on hand to pay for Christmas, and not resort to using credit cards.

2019 100

2019 September Club August 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 6, 2014

Too often we only think about goals in January, but today we’re going to work on new financial goals. Or maybe you want to pay off (and cut up) your credit cards. We altered his principles though to reflect our lifestyle. Is it to pay off your house? Pay cash for a trip to Hawaii or your kids’ education.

Financial Goals 113

Financial Goals Goals Finance Organic 113

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

Maureen eliminated $79,000 of credit card and student loan debt less than 3 years. Chris and his wife made a financial goal to switch to an all cash lifestyle, instead of relying on credit cards. Jacki and her husband take the month of January to map out their goals for the year. goals to get us there.

Financial Goals 100

Financial Goals Goals Debt Budgeting 100

Saving With Shellie

NOVEMBER 30, 2014

This has to be your (or your joint account holder’s) first 360 Checking Account (including Electric Orange checking) Just to give you a time line, if you complete the 5 purchases or deposits, you will receive the $100 bonus in mid-January, just in time to pay your credit card bill from Christmas.

Fridays 79

Fridays Budgeting Budget Credit Cards 79

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 26, 2014

If you have the time, you can open a Swagbucks account and search the internet for points that can be traded in for gift cards, or you can take advantage of bank cash bonus offers if you open a credit card or checking account. You can also try taking surveys.

Holiday 169

Holiday Emergency Fund Homemade Eating Out 169

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 28, 2014

O n the 30th of each month, between January and November in 2014 , we will meet here to discuss our challenges and successes for the month with our grocery budget. Also my debit card got caught up in the Target breach of security. Thankfully, nothing happened to my account, but my bank issued us new cards anyway.

Budgeting 124

Budgeting Budget February Groceries 124

For the Mommas

NOVEMBER 30, 2016

Or pay off the credit cards you may have used over the holidays. Sign up now before you start your holiday shopping and reap the rewards in January! Last year, I accumulated over $400 cash back from my holiday shopping. I use it to treat myself, but you can use it however you wish. Do you use any other cash back sites?

Holiday 40

Holiday Shopping Credit Cards 2017 40

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 25, 2019

On the 25th of every month from January to November in 2019, I will hold a virtual meeting on the blog to give updates on our progress, motivate one another, and help all of us save for a cash Christmas. The goal is to use the money that you have on hand to pay for Christmas and not resort to using credit cards.

2019 100

2019 October Club Christmas 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 6, 2020

I am totally paraphrasing the year, but had it not been for the money in our emergency savings, we would most likely have used credit cards to survive. We’d survived the dip in 2007, carried no credit card debt, and we were contributing to our retirement. January & February 2020 – Life is good!

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2007 2020 130

Nicoles Nickels

DECEMBER 14, 2012

FREE $100 Zipcar Credit - enter code: 75DEC12ZIP for $75 and: 25ZIPDEC12 for $25 -you have to enter them by January 1 and they’re good for 30 days. FREE Pound of OneHope Coffee Beans - add to cart and enter promo code: MoBlend12 -You need a credit card to checkout.

Freebies 71

Freebies Fridays December Giveaway 71

For the Mommas

OCTOBER 13, 2016

Or pay off the credit cards you may have used over the holidays. Sign up now before you start your holiday shopping and reap the rewards in January! Last year, I accumulated over $400 cash back from my holiday shopping. I use it to treat myself, but you can use it however you wish. Do you use any other cash back sites?

Holiday 40

Holiday Shopping Credit Cards 2017 40

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

In January 2013 there was a blog post on Keeper of the Home that first awakened me to the concept of living debt free. We also continued using debit and credit cards (paid in full multiple times per month) for the convenience of tracking our expenses online. By the grace of God, it took us just under 9 months to pay it off.

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Debt Financial Goals Budgeting 100

Couponing 101

DECEMBER 26, 2011

Shopping a little bit at a time over the course of the year can be easier for some people than paying one lump sum at the end of the year (and potentially using credit cards and going into debt.) Target – Target marks their toy clearance down to 75% off twice a year – once in January and once in July. Start shopping now.

Christmas 80

Christmas Toys Gifts Bath and Body Works 80